Your maintenance light is on, a Mavis store sits a mile from your office, and the question is simple: is it a sensible place to get your oil changed, and what will you walk out paying? The answer depends less on the sign over the door than on what your engine needs, which oil you choose and whether you show up with a coupon.
This guide breaks down what a Mavis oil change includes, how the oil options differ, how its coupons and financing work and how the chain stacks up against quick-lube shops, dealers and independent garages. One thing up front: Mavis does not publish a single national price list, and what you pay varies by location and oil type. Any quote you see online should be treated as a rough guide until your local store confirms it.
How this guide was put together: This guide is based on Mavis’s published services and offers at the time of writing; coupons, prices and card terms change, so confirm details with your local store. Checked on October 22, 2026.
Table of Contents
Who Mavis Is
Mavis traces its roots to 1949, when it started as Vic’s Cycle Shop in Westchester County, New York. The business was rebranded as Mavis Tire Supply in 1972 and has grown aggressively since, largely through acquisitions. It merged with Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers in 2018 and added Midas in 2025.
Today Mavis says it runs more than 2,100 company-owned locations across 36 states, and more than 3,500 owned and franchised locations across the US and Canada when all of its brands are counted. Several regional names you may already know, including NTB, Tire Kingdom and STS, now operate under the Mavis umbrella. Despite the tire-heavy name, Mavis is a full-service shop that handles oil changes, brakes, batteries, alignments, suspension work, exhaust and state inspections.
That scale matters for an oil change. You are likely to find a store nearby, you can book online and service records are easier to track when you visit the same chain wherever you drive.
What a Mavis Oil Change Includes
The core service follows the standard sequence: a technician drains the old oil, replaces the oil filter, checks for leaks, refills the engine with fresh oil and resets your maintenance reminder. Mavis also lists an air filter inspection, a coolant level check and a leak inspection as part of the visit.
Mavis uses Valvoline motor oil, and it offers conventional and synthetic options along with diesel and European vehicle service. If your car calls for a specific approval, such as a European manufacturer’s oil specification, ask the store to confirm it stocks the correct product before the technician starts.
Tire Rotation and Brake Check
Mavis’s recent oil change coupon packages a tire rotation and a visual brake inspection with the oil service. That bundle is useful for a tire-focused shop, because rotation intervals often line up with oil changes. Doing both on the same visit keeps tread wear even and saves you a second trip.
Before you hand over the keys, confirm which oil grade is going into your engine and whether the quote includes the rotation. Two minutes at the counter prevents most billing surprises.
Understanding Your Oil Options
Choosing oil is where most of the price difference comes from, so it helps to know what you are paying for.
| Oil Type | What It Is | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional | Refined from crude oil with an additive package | Older or simpler engines whose manuals allow it |
| Synthetic blend | A mix of conventional and synthetic base oils | Drivers who want added protection at a moderate cost |
| Full synthetic | Chemically engineered base oils with more uniform molecules | Most modern engines, turbocharged engines, extreme heat or cold, towing |
| High mileage | Oil with seal conditioners and extra additives | Older engines with some seepage or oil consumption |
| Diesel-rated | Oil meeting diesel engine specifications | Diesel cars and trucks |
Start With the Owner’s Manual
The manual lists the required viscosity, such as 0W-20 or 5W-30, and any industry or manufacturer approval the oil must carry. Many newer engines require full synthetic, and using the wrong grade can affect efficiency, protection and even warranty coverage. The first number in a viscosity grade describes how easily the oil flows when cold, and the second describes its thickness at operating temperature.
When Upgrading Makes Sense
If your manual allows conventional oil, synthetic is an upgrade rather than a requirement. It resists breakdown under heat better and flows more readily on cold starts, which helps if you tow, drive in extreme temperatures or make lots of short trips. Synthetic costs more per visit, but because it holds up longer, your car’s oil life monitor may allow more miles between changes. Follow the interval in your manual or the monitor rather than an old rule of thumb.
How Mavis Pricing Works
Mavis does not post fixed national oil change prices, and the final bill depends on several factors:
- Oil type. Conventional is the least expensive, while full synthetic and specialty oils cost more.
- Oil capacity. Trucks and large SUVs with bigger engines take more oil, which can raise the price.
- Filter. Some vehicles use cartridge filters or specialty filters that cost more than a common spin-on unit.
- Location. Labor rates and local competition vary from market to market.
- Coupons. A valid coupon can change the price more than anything else on this list.
The most reliable way to get a real number is to enter your vehicle on the Mavis website when booking, or to call the store and give the year, make, model and engine.
Coupons, Deals and Financing
Mavis posts oil change coupons on its website, and they are worth checking before every visit. A recent offer took $20 off an oil change for most vehicles, used Valvoline oil, included a tire rotation and a visual brake inspection, and could be combined with other Mavis tire deals and service offers. Coupon terms, amounts and expiration dates change, so print or screenshot the current one and bring it with you.
Mavis also offers a store credit card issued through Synchrony. It carries no annual fee and offers six months of no-interest financing on purchases of $199 or more, with interest charged if the promotional balance is not paid off in time. The card also works across Synchrony’s Car Care network at gas stations, car washes and other auto merchants. It will not matter much for a routine oil change, but it can help spread out the cost of a bigger repair or a set of tires.
Tips for Paying Less
- Check the Mavis coupon page before you book, and again the day of your appointment.
- Bundle the oil change with a rotation if you are due, so you pay for one visit rather than two.
- Know your required oil grade so you are not talked into a more expensive product your engine does not need.
- Compare the Mavis quote with one or two nearby shops, since local competition varies.
- Decline add-on services you have not researched, and ask the technician to show you the worn part or dirty filter before you approve it.
Mavis vs. Other Oil Change Options
Every type of shop has a role, and the best choice depends on what you value most.
| Provider Type | Main Advantages | Main Drawbacks | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mavis | Large network, online booking, coupons, tire and brake services in one visit | Prices and service quality vary by location | Drivers who want oil and tire care together |
| Quick-lube chains such as Take 5 and Valvoline Instant Oil Change | Stay-in-your-car service at many locations, fast turnaround | Limited repair capability beyond basic maintenance | Drivers who prioritize speed |
| Dealership | Factory-trained technicians, manufacturer parts, recall checks | Usually the most expensive option | Cars under warranty or with specialized needs |
| Independent mechanic | Personal relationship, often fair labor rates | Quality depends entirely on the shop | Owners who already trust a local garage |
A Common Name Mix-Up
Mavis Discount Tire and Discount Tire are separate companies. Discount Tire focuses on tires and wheels and does not perform oil changes, so if you search for a “discount tire oil change,” make sure you are looking at a Mavis location.
Speed vs. Convenience
Quick-lube shops are built around getting you back on the road fast, and some let you stay in the car. Mavis is a full-service shop with service bays, so your wait depends on how busy the store is and whether you booked ahead. For a realistic sense of timing, see our guide to how long an oil change takes. Booking online and arriving early in the day usually shortens the wait.
DIY or Professional?
Changing your own oil saves on labor, and plenty of drivers enjoy the job. It also means buying the right oil and filter, safely lifting the car, handling hot oil and taking the used oil and filter to a recycling point. Used motor oil should never go in the trash or down a drain, because it contaminates soil and water.
A professional service handles disposal for you, adds a rotation and a brake check and keeps a dated service record, which is useful when you sell the car or need to show a warranty claim that the maintenance was done. For most drivers whose cars use full synthetic, the gap between a DIY job and a coupon-discounted shop visit is smaller than it first appears.
What to Expect at the Counter
A smooth visit starts with booking. You can schedule online through the Mavis website or call the store directly. When you arrive:
- Confirm the oil type and grade on the work order matches your owner’s manual.
- Ask whether your coupon has been applied before the work starts.
- Expect a list of recommended services. Approve only what you understand and what fits your maintenance schedule.
- Check the windshield sticker or reset maintenance light before you drive away.
- Glance under the car in your driveway that evening for any drips around the drain plug or filter.
Experiences at any national chain vary by store and by technician. If one location leaves you unhappy, another nearby may run very differently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prices vary by location, the type of oil your vehicle needs, how much oil it takes and which filter it uses. Mavis does not publish a fixed national price, so the most accurate quote comes from booking online with your vehicle details or calling your local store, then applying any current coupon.
Mavis uses Valvoline motor oil. It offers conventional and synthetic options and lists diesel and European vehicle service as well. Ask the store to confirm it has the exact grade and specification listed in your owner’s manual.
Sometimes. A recent Mavis oil change coupon included a tire rotation and a visual brake inspection. Whether a rotation is included depends on the current offer, so confirm it when you book.
Recently, yes. The recent Mavis oil change coupon stated that it could be combined with other tire deals and auto service offers. Terms change, so read the fine print on the coupon you plan to use.
No. Discount Tire is a separate company that focuses on tires and wheels and does not offer oil changes. Mavis Discount Tire is a full-service chain that does.
Follow the interval in your owner’s manual or your car’s oil life monitor. Modern engines running synthetic oil often go well beyond the old 3,000-mile habit, while severe use such as towing, dusty roads or constant short trips can shorten the interval.
The Bottom Line on a Mavis Oil Change
Mavis makes the most sense for drivers who want routine maintenance and tire care handled in one place. Its huge network, online booking and Valvoline oil make it an easy choice, and its coupons, which have recently bundled a rotation and brake check with the oil service, can make it competitive with quick-lube chains.
The trade-offs are the usual ones for a large chain. Prices are not posted nationally, the experience varies by store and you should expect recommendations for extra services. Arrive knowing your oil grade, bring a current coupon and approve only what you need. If speed is your top priority, a stay-in-your-car quick-lube shop may suit you better, and if your car is under a complex warranty, the dealer remains a safe default.
Sources
Specs, warranty terms and prices were checked on October 22, 2026. Prices change often.
- FTC: Auto warranties and routine maintenance (service records and warranty coverage)
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